Low-power smart card reader

ABSTRACT

In exemplary embodiments, a reader device is powered on only when a card is inserted in the reader device, thereby reducing the amount of time the reader device is powered and consequently reducing the amount of power consumption by the reader device. In some embodiments, inserting the card causes power-on of the reader device, while in other embodiments, insertion of the card plus other criteria are required to power on the reader device (e.g., having the reader device connected to the host device, or operating a manual switch while the card is inserted in the reader device).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/686,362 entitled LOW-POWER SMART CARD READER filedJun. 18, 2018, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a power-on sequence for asmart card reader.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) often use mobilepoint-of-sale (mPOS) devices to perform transactions and accept paymentssuch as from credit cards, debit cards, mobile wallets, etc. Forexample, an SMB may utilize a reader device that communicates with ahost device such as a smartphone or tablet computer. The reader devicemay include a magnetic stripe reader (MSR) for accepting various typesof magnetic stripe cards, a chip reader for accepting so-called smartcards (e.g., Europay MasterCard Visa or EMV cards), a contactless reader(e.g., a near-field communications or NFC reader for accepting varioustypes of contactless payment vehicles such as Apple Pay), and/or othertypes of readers such as, for example, a camera or scanner such as forreading a bar-code or QR-code. The reader device may communicate withthe host device such as by USB, Bluetooth, audio jack, lightning, Wi-Fi,infrared, cellular, or other communication technology.

In the early days of mPOS for SMB in the US market, solutions weremostly based on magnetic stripe readers having ultra-low powermicrocontrollers and connected to the host device by the audio jack.Many such reader devices relied on power from the host device (e.g., inthe form of audio signals or other power signals provided by the hostdevice allowing the reader device to charge a capacitor or otherelectrical storage device such as a battery) or from a non-rechargeablebattery allowing hundreds or thousands of transactions over severalyears. As a major benefit for the merchants, the reader devices wereready for use without having to worry about charging the reader devices.

With the introduction of EMV capability, it is not practical for readerdevices to rely on power from the host device or from a non-rechargeablebattery because these devices consume a great deal of power. Therefore,EMV-capable reader devices typically include a rechargeable battery suchas a rechargeable Li-Ion battery. Beyond the self-discharge of suchtechnology, the lifecycle of a transaction exacerbates high powerconsumption of these reader devices. For example, a typical transactionlifecycle for the card reader includes running a start-up sequencetypically including communications with the host device, idling whileawaiting card insertion, reading information from the card when it isinserted, processing the transaction once the card was insertedincluding communications with the host device, and waiting fortransaction completion on the back-end to be returned to the cardreader. In order to control power consumption by such card readers, itis common for the card reader to include a power-on button or othermechanism to turn on the card reader in advance of the transaction andfor the card reader to be turned off after completion of thetransaction. Still, it is not uncommon for SMB merchants (especiallythose that do not perform frequent transactions) to find that their cardreaders are not sufficiently charged to accept transactions, therebyrequiring that the SMB merchant charge the reader device for severalminutes at a time when they want to accept payments.

In order to enable faster transactions, all of the major card brands(e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) have introduceda “Quick Chip” or similar online transaction mode that allows the cardto be inserted, read, and removed without the need for the finaltransaction amount to be available in advance and without the need forthe card reader to receive approval from the back-end before instructingthe customer to remove the card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily understood byreference to the following detailed description, taken with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 100 in whichpower-on is initiated by a manual power switch, as known in the art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing relevant components of anexemplary IC slot 108 that can be used in the reader device 100 of FIG.1, as known in the art.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing relevant components of anexemplary manual power switch circuit 104 that can be used in the readerdevice 100 of FIG. 1, as known in the art.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 200 in whichpower-on is initiated by insertion of a card in the IC slot, inaccordance with a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing one example of an electronic powerswitch circuit 204 that can be used in various embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 300 in whichpower-on requires both insertion of a card in the IC slot and connectionof the reader device 300 to the host device, in accordance with a secondexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 400 in whichpower-on requires operation of a manual power switch while a card isinserted in the IC slot, in accordance with a third exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 500 in whichpower-on requires operation of a manual power switch while a card isinserted in the IC slot and the reader device is connected to the hostdevice, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment.

It should be noted that the foregoing figures and the elements depictedtherein are not necessarily drawn to consistent scale or to any scale.Unless the context otherwise suggests, like elements are indicated bylike numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In exemplary embodiments, a reader device is powered on only when a cardis inserted in the reader device, thereby reducing the amount of timethe reader device is powered and consequently reducing the amount ofpower consumption by the reader device. In some embodiments, insertingthe card causes power-on of the reader device, while in otherembodiments, insertion of the card plus other criteria are required topower on the reader device (e.g., having the reader device connected tothe host device, or operating a manual switch while the card is insertedin the reader device).

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 100 in whichpower-on is initiated by a manual power switch, as known in the art.Among other things, the reader device 100 includes a battery 102 orother power source, a manual power switch circuit 104, a processingsystem 106, and an IC slot 108.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing relevant components of anexemplary IC slot 108 that can be used in the reader device 100 of FIG.1, as known in the art. Here, the IC slot 108 includes a set of eight(8) card interface pins 1081 that are configured to interface withcorresponding pins of the smart card chip when the smart card isinserted in the IC slot 108 (the arrow shows the direction of cardinsertion). The card interface pins also are coupled to the processingsystem 106 via the DATA interface so that the processing system 106 canread card data from the smart card chip. The IC slot 108 also includes acard detection device 1082, which in this example is a normally-openswitch that is closed when the smart card is inserted in the IC slot108. The card detection device 1082 provides a signal 109 thatessentially indicates whether or not a card is inserted in the IC slot108, e.g., based on whether the card detection switch is open (i.e., nocard inserted, signal 109=0) or closed (i.e., card inserted, signal109=VCC). The card interface pins 1081 and the card detection device1082 may be parts of an integrated card connector component or may beseparate components, e.g., attached separately to a printed circuitboard. The IC slot 108 typically also includes guides (not shown) thathelp to position the smart card within the IC slot 108 when the smartcard is inserted in the IC slot 108.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing relevant components of anexemplary manual power switch circuit 104 that can be used in the readerdevice 100 of FIG. 1, as known in the art. Here, the manual power switchcircuit 104 includes, among other things, a momentary normally-openpush-button switch (S1) and additional power management circuitry thatis controlled by the processing system 106 or other appropriatecircuitry to maintain power for the processing system 106 and otherperipherals (e.g., the IC slot 108). When the switch S1 ispressed/closed, current flows through resistor R1 and through the diodeto the control input of transistor Q1 to provide a POWER-ON signal tothe processing system 106. Upon receiving the POWER-ON signal, theprocessing system 106 or other appropriate circuitry provides a CONTROLsignal to the control input of transistor Q1 to maintain the POWER-ONsignal even if the switch (S1) is subsequently released/opened.Typically, the processing system 106 can turn off the reader device byturning off the CONTROL signal. For example, the CONTROL signal may be asoftware-controllable output pin of a microcontroller of the processingsystem 106, in which case the reader device can be turned off bysoftware control.

Thus, with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the user of the reader device 100 canoperate the manual power switch circuit 104 to provide a POWER-ON signalto the processing system 106. Then, with regard to smart cardtransaction, the processing system 106 can determine, based on thesignal 109, whether or not a card is inserted in the IC slot 108. When acard is inserted in the IC slot 108, the processing system 106 can readdata from the card and can transmit card data to the host device via ahost interface (not shown), if the reader device 100 is connected to thehost device, or in some embodiments can store the card data in a memoryof the processing system 106 for later transmission to the host device.The processing system 106 also can detect when the card has been removedfrom the IC slot 108.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 200 in whichpower-on is initiated by insertion of a card in the IC slot, inaccordance with a first exemplary embodiment. Here, power is provided tothe normally-open card detection device 1082 of the IC slot 108 suchthat, when a card is inserted in IC slot 108 and the card detectiondevice 1082 is closed, signal 109 is generated to operate electronicpower switch 204 and provide a power-on signal to the processing system106. In essence, the signal 109 replaces the momentary normally-openpush-button switch (S1) of the manual power switch circuit 104 of FIG.3, for example, as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the processing system 106 candetermine, based on the signal 109, whether or not a card is inserted inthe IC slot 108. When a card is inserted in the IC slot 108, theprocessing system 106 can read data from the card and can transmit carddata to the host device via a host interface (not shown), if the readerdevice 200 is connected to the host device, or in some embodiments canstore the card data in a memory of the processing system 106 for latertransmission to the host device, e.g., if the card reader is notconnected to the host device or the host device is not ready to receivethe card data.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 300 in whichpower-on requires both insertion of a card in the IC slot and connectionof the reader device 300 to the host device, in accordance with a secondexemplary embodiment. Here, as in FIG. 4, power is provided to thenormally-open card detection device 1082 of the IC slot 108 such that,when a card is inserted in IC slot 108 and the card detection device isclosed, signal 109 is generated. Separately, the host device can providea signal 309 when the reader device is connected to the host device viahost interface 310 (e.g., through the audio jack, lightning jack for iOSdevices, USB, etc.). For example, host device may provide a signal whenit is ready to receive card data from the reader device 300 (e.g., sentautomatically by a transaction app on the host device when thetransaction app is open and waiting to receive the data from readerdevice). Signals 109 and 309 are provided to an AND circuit 312. Whenboth signals 109 and 309 are present, signal 609 is generated to operateelectronic power switch 204 and provide a power-on signal to theprocessing system 106. In essence, the signal 609 replaces the momentarynormally-open push-button switch (S1) of the manual power switch circuit104 of FIG. 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the processingsystem 106 can determine, based on the signal 109, whether or not a cardis inserted in the IC slot 108. When a card is inserted in the IC slot108, the processing system 106 can read data from the card and cantransmit card data to the host device via a host interface (not shown),if the reader device 300 is connected to the host device, or in someembodiments can store the card data in a memory of the processing system106 for later transmission to the host device, e.g., if the card readeris not connected to the host device or the host device is not ready toreceive the card data.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 400 in whichpower-on requires operation of a manual power switch while a card isinserted in the IC slot, in accordance with a third exemplaryembodiment. Here, as in FIG. 2, power is provided to the normally-opencard detection device of the IC slot 108 such that, when a card isinserted in IC slot 108 and the card detection device is closed, signal109 is generated. Separately, manual power switch 410 provides signal409 when the user operates the manual power switch 410. Signals 109 and409 are provided to an AND circuit 312. When both signals 109 and 409are present, signal 709 is generated to operate electronic power switch204 and provide a power-on signal to the processing system 106. Inessence, the signal 709 replaces the momentary normally-open push-buttonswitch (S1) of the manual power switch circuit 104 of FIG. 3, forexample, as shown in FIG. 5. Then, the processing system 106 candetermine, based on the signal 109, whether or not a card is inserted inthe IC slot 108. When a card is inserted in the IC slot 108, theprocessing system 106 can read data from the card and can transmit carddata to the host device via a host interface (not shown), if the readerdevice 400 is connected to the host device, or in some embodiments canstore the card data in a memory of the processing system 106 for latertransmission to the host device, e.g., if the card reader is notconnected to the host device or the host device is not ready to receivethe card data.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a reader device 500 in whichpower-on requires operation of a manual power switch while a card isinserted in the IC slot and the reader device is connected to the hostdevice, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment. Here, as inFIG. 2, power is provided to the normally-open card detection device ofthe IC slot 108 such that, when a card is inserted in IC slot 108 andthe card detection device is closed, signal 109 is generated.Separately, the host device can provide a signal 309 when the readerdevice is connected to the host device via host interface 310 (e.g.,through the audio jack, lightning jack for iOS devices, USB, etc.). Forexample, host device may provide a signal when it is ready to receivecard data from the reader device 500. Separately, manual power switch410 provides signal 409 when the user operates the manual power switch410. Signals 109, 309, and 409 are provided to an AND circuit 312. Whenall three signals 109, 309, and 409 are present, signal 809 is generatedto operate electronic power switch 204 and provide a power-on signal tothe processing system 106. In essence, the signal 809 replaces themomentary normally-open push-button switch (S1) of the manual powerswitch circuit 104 of FIG. 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 5. Then, theprocessing system 106 can determine, based on the signal 109, whether ornot a card is inserted in the IC slot 108. When a card is inserted inthe IC slot 108, the processing system 106 can read data from the cardand can transmit card data to the host device via a host interface (notshown), if the reader device 400 is connected to the host device, or insome embodiments can store the card data in a memory of the processingsystem 106 for later transmission to the host device, e.g., if the cardreader is not connected to the host device or the host device is notready to receive the card data.

It should be noted that the processing system 106 typically includes aprocessor (e.g., a microprocessor or microcontroller with memory andother peripherals, and/or application-specific hardware) configuredaccordingly to perform device functions. For example the processingsystem 106 is typically configured to read card data from the card andprocess the card data, which may include encrypting the card data andeither storing the encrypted data or transmitting the encrypted data tothe host device along with additional data relating to the reader deviceand/or transaction. In some embodiments, the processing system 106includes other user interface devices (e.g., a keypad, a display screen,a touchscreen, etc.) and can be configured to present information to theuser and/or accept inputs from the user via the user interface devices.

Importantly, the processing system 106 can be configured to turn off thereader device after card data has been stored or transmitted to the hostdevice, e.g., upon receiving a signal from the host device indicatingthat the card data has been successfully received by the host device(e.g., the host device may send an acknowledgment to the reader alongwith a beep command and a power-off command), or automatically by theprocessing system 106 upon completion of storing card data for latertransmission. It should be noted that the reader device can be turnedoff even if the card remains inserted in the IC slot 108.

Thus, the reader devices of the types described with reference to FIGS.4-8 can be powered on for a minimal amount of time, starting no earlierthan insertion of the card and powering down after the card data hasbeen read and processed, thereby providing improved power savings andreduced transaction times. For example, card data could be collected andprocessed, and the reader powered down, before the host system is readyto complete the transaction using the card data. As discussed above, insome situations (e.g., when the reader device is not connected to thehost device), the card data may be stored locally by the reader devicefor later transmission to the host device. Typically, the card datawould be stored in encrypted form. Also, the card data may be storedwith a timestamp and deleted after either being transmitted to the hostdevice or being stored for more than a predetermined amount time basedon the timestamp.

In some embodiments, the reader device firmware run by the processingsystem 106 may utilize a “thin” client architecture so as to omit a fulloperating system, thereby providing very fast power-up andinitialization of the reader device. It is expected that this fastpower-up and initialization, together with “quick chip” reading andprocessing of the card data followed by virtually immediate power-downof the reader device, will result in a total transaction time belowaround 8 to 10 seconds (which is below the typical time that consumersare experiencing with “non Quick chip” EMV transactions) and perhapscould be reduced to under 3 seconds and perhaps under 2 seconds in somesituations. Together with use of a low-power microcontroller,per-transaction power consumption can be very low, thereby significantlyextending the time between recharge cycles and in some cases making itpractical to possibly return to the use of non-rechargeable batteries,which can be a substantial cost saving.

Exemplary embodiments described herein should be particularly useful for“chip-only” reader devices. With the migration of the market to EMV, asof the end of 2017, more than 95% of transactions are already EMV (whenthe reader device is EMV capable). MSR capabilities are being phasedout. For example, Mastercard has already released information for theEuropean market that MSR is no longer required in reader devices. Also,there currently is no mandate that reader devices support contactlessreading capabilities. Thus, it becomes possible to consider introducingchip-only reader devices, i.e., having only chip-reading capabilitieswithout MSR or contactless capabilities that generally require that thereader device be powered on for a longer amount of time.

That being said, the present invention is not limited to chip-onlyreader devices. For example, reader devices could include circuitry ofthe type described herein that powers on the reader device when a cardis inserted in the IC slot, and the reader device also could includeother circuitry that powers on the reader device for other functionssuch as MSR or contactless transactions (e.g., a power onswitch/button). Additionally or alternatively, some reader devicesinclude a slot for MSR transactions, and power-on circuitry of the typedescribed herein could be used to power on the reader device when thecard is inserted in the slot (e.g., the reader device may be powered onwhen the card is inserted, and the user may have to wait until thereader device is operational and provides a signal, such as audible orvisual signal, for the user to remove the card and effectuate the MSRtransaction).

It should be noted that embodiments are not limited to any particulartype of reader device or reader device application. Thus, for example,embodiments can include reader devices that connect to a host deviceusing any of wide range of technologies (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, audiojack, lightning, Wi-Fi, infrared, cellular, or other communicationtechnology). Embodiments can include portable devices or stationarydevices. Embodiments can include reader devices that are used in or withother products such as vending machines, appliances (e.g., Laundromatwashers and dryers), kiosks, access/entry systems, etc. The describedpower-on and/or power-off controls based on insertion of the card intothe reader device can be used to turn on a device or device circuitry toread card data and then power down the device or device circuitry whenprocessing is completed, thereby allowing for power savings benefits tobe applied to a wide range of devices, even devices that are plugged-inrather than battery-powered.

It should be noted that arrows may be used in drawings to representcommunication, transfer, or other activity involving two or moreentities. Double-ended arrows generally indicate that activity may occurin both directions (e.g., a command/request in one direction with acorresponding reply back in the other direction, or peer-to-peercommunications initiated by either entity), although in some situations,activity may not necessarily occur in both directions. Single-endedarrows generally indicate activity exclusively or predominantly in onedirection, although it should be noted that, in certain situations, suchdirectional activity actually may involve activities in both directions(e.g., a message from a sender to a receiver and an acknowledgement backfrom the receiver to the sender, or establishment of a connection priorto a transfer and termination of the connection following the transfer).Thus, the type of arrow used in a particular drawing to represent aparticular activity is exemplary and should not be seen as limiting.

It should also be noted that devices may use communication protocols andmessages (e.g., messages created, transmitted, received, stored, and/orprocessed by the device), and such messages may be conveyed by acommunication network or medium. Unless the context otherwise requires,the present invention should not be construed as being limited to anyparticular communication message type, communication message format, orcommunication protocol. Thus, a communication message generally mayinclude, without limitation, a frame, packet, datagram, user datagram,cell, or other type of communication message. Unless the contextrequires otherwise, references to specific communication protocols areexemplary, and it should be understood that alternative embodiments may,as appropriate, employ variations of such communication protocols (e.g.,modifications or extensions of the protocol that may be made fromtime-to-time) or other protocols either known or developed in thefuture.

It should also be noted that logic flows may be described herein todemonstrate various aspects of the invention, and should not beconstrued to limit the present invention to any particular logic flow orlogic implementation. The described logic may be partitioned intodifferent logic blocks (e.g., programs, modules, functions, orsubroutines) without changing the overall results or otherwise departingfrom the true scope of the invention. Often times, logic elements may beadded, modified, omitted, performed in a different order, or implementedusing different logic constructs (e.g., logic gates, looping primitives,conditional logic, and other logic constructs) without changing theoverall results or otherwise departing from the true scope of theinvention.

The present invention may be embodied in many different forms,including, but in no way limited to, computer program logic for use witha processor (e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signalprocessor, or general purpose computer), programmable logic for use witha programmable logic device (e.g., a Field Programmable Gate Array(FPGA) or other PLD), discrete components, integrated circuitry (e.g.,an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)), or any other meansincluding any combination thereof. Computer program logic implementingsome or all of the described functionality is typically implemented as aset of computer program instructions that is converted into a computerexecutable form, stored as such in a computer readable medium, andexecuted by a microprocessor under the control of an operating system.Hardware-based logic implementing some or all of the describedfunctionality may be implemented using one or more appropriatelyconfigured FPGAs.

Computer program logic implementing all or part of the functionalitypreviously described herein may be embodied in various forms, including,but in no way limited to, a source code form, a computer executableform, and various intermediate forms (e.g., forms generated by anassembler, compiler, linker, or locator). Source code may include aseries of computer program instructions implemented in any of variousprogramming languages (e.g., an object code, an assembly language, or ahigh-level language such as Fortran, C, C++, JAVA, or HTML) for use withvarious operating systems or operating environments. The source code maydefine and use various data structures and communication messages. Thesource code may be in a computer executable form (e.g., via aninterpreter), or the source code may be converted (e.g., via atranslator, assembler, or compiler) into a computer executable form.

Computer program logic implementing all or part of the functionalitypreviously described herein may be executed at different times on asingle processor (e.g., concurrently) or may be executed at the same ordifferent times on multiple processors and may run under a singleoperating system process/thread or under different operating systemprocesses/threads. Thus, the term “computer process” refers generally tothe execution of a set of computer program instructions regardless ofwhether different computer processes are executed on the same ordifferent processors and regardless of whether different computerprocesses run under the same operating system process/thread ordifferent operating system processes/threads.

The computer program may be fixed in any form (e.g., source code form,computer executable form, or an intermediate form) either permanently ortransitorily in a tangible storage medium, such as a semiconductormemory device (e.g., a RAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or Flash-ProgrammableRAM), a magnetic memory device (e.g., a diskette or fixed disk), anoptical memory device (e.g., a CD-ROM), a PC card (e.g., PCMCIA card),or other memory device. The computer program may be fixed in any form ina signal that is transmittable to a computer using any of variouscommunication technologies, including, but in no way limited to, analogtechnologies, digital technologies, optical technologies, wirelesstechnologies (e.g., Bluetooth), networking technologies, andinternetworking technologies. The computer program may be distributed inany form as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed orelectronic documentation (e.g., shrink wrapped software), preloaded witha computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributedfrom a server or electronic bulletin board over the communication system(e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web).

Hardware logic (including programmable logic for use with a programmablelogic device) implementing all or part of the functionality previouslydescribed herein may be designed using traditional manual methods, ormay be designed, captured, simulated, or documented electronically usingvarious tools, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), a hardwaredescription language (e.g., VHDL or AHDL), or a PLD programming language(e.g., PALASM, ABEL, or CUPL).

Programmable logic may be fixed either permanently or transitorily in atangible storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory device (e.g., aRAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or Flash-Programmable RAM), a magnetic memorydevice (e.g., a diskette or fixed disk), an optical memory device (e.g.,a CD-ROM), or other memory device. The programmable logic may be fixedin a signal that is transmittable to a computer using any of variouscommunication technologies, including, but in no way limited to, analogtechnologies, digital technologies, optical technologies, wirelesstechnologies (e.g., Bluetooth), networking technologies, andinternetworking technologies. The programmable logic may be distributedas a removable storage medium with accompanying printed or electronicdocumentation (e.g., shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computersystem (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a serveror electronic bulletin board over the communication system (e.g., theInternet or World Wide Web). Of course, some embodiments of theinvention may be implemented as a combination of both software (e.g., acomputer program product) and hardware. Still other embodiments of theinvention are implemented as entirely hardware, or entirely software.

Importantly, it should be noted that embodiments of the presentinvention may employ conventional components such as conventionalcomputers (e.g., off-the-shelf PCs, mainframes, microprocessors),conventional programmable logic devices (e.g., off-the-shelf FPGAs orPLDs), or conventional hardware components (e.g., off-the-shelf ASICs ordiscrete hardware components) which, when programmed or configured toperform the non-conventional methods described herein, producenon-conventional devices or systems. Thus, there is nothing conventionalabout the inventions described herein because even when embodiments areimplemented using conventional components, the resulting devices andsystems (e.g., the reader devices described herein) are necessarilynon-conventional because, absent special programming or configuration,the conventional components do not inherently perform the describednon-conventional methods.

Various embodiments of the present invention may be characterized by thepotential claims listed in the paragraphs following this paragraph (andbefore the actual claims provided at the end of the application). Thesepotential claims form a part of the written description of theapplication. Accordingly, subject matter of the following potentialclaims may be presented as actual claims in later proceedings involvingthis application or any application claiming priority based on thisapplication. Inclusion of such potential claims should not be construedto mean that the actual claims do not cover the subject matter of thepotential claims. Thus, a decision to not present these potential claimsin later proceedings should not be construed as a donation of thesubject matter to the public.

Without limitation, potential subject matter that may be claimed(prefaced with the letter “P” so as to avoid confusion with the actualclaims presented below) includes:

P1. A reader device comprising a power control circuit configured topower-on a processing system of the reader device upon insertion of acard in a card slot.

P2. A reader device comprising a power control circuit configured topower-on a processing system of the reader device when a card isinserted in a card slot and the reader device is connected to a hostdevice.

P3. A reader device comprising a power control circuit configured topower-on a processing system of the reader device when a card isinserted in a card slot and a switch is operated by a user.

P4. A reader device comprising a power control circuit configured topower-on a processing system of the reader device when a card isinserted in a card slot, the reader device is connected to a hostdevice, and a switch is operated by a user.

P5. A reader device as in one of claims P1-P4, wherein the processingsystem is configured to power down the reader device after storing carddata.

P6. A reader device as in one of claims P1-P4, wherein the processingsystem is configured to power down the reader device after transmittingcard data to the host device.

P7. A reader device as in one of claims P1-P4, wherein the processingsystem is configured to power down the reader device after transmittingcard data to the host device and receiving a power-down command from thehost device.

P8. A reader device as in one of claims P1-P7, wherein the reader deviceis a chip-only reader device.

P9. A reader device as in one of claims P1-P7, wherein the power-controlcircuit includes a card detection device.

P10. A reader device according to claim P9, wherein the card detectiondevice is a normally-open switch that is closed when the card isinserted in the card slot.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the true scope of the invention, and numerous variationsand modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art based onthe teachings herein. Any references to the “invention” are intended torefer to exemplary embodiments of the invention and should not beconstrued to refer to all embodiments of the invention unless thecontext otherwise requires. The described embodiments are to beconsidered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A card reader device comprising: a card slot; acard detection device that selectively generates a signal when a card isinserted in the card slot and is engaged with the card detection device;a processing system; and a power control circuit configured tophysically provide power to the processing system upon insertion of acard in the card slot and engagement of the card with the card detectiondevice, wherein the processing system is configured to power off thecard reader device upon completion of reading and processing card datawhile the card remains inserted in the card slot and engaged with thecard detection device, and wherein the power control circuit requiresdisengagement of the card from the card detection device in order toprovide power to the processing system upon subsequent engagement of asubsequent card with the card detection device.
 2. A card reader deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the processing system is configured topower off the reader device after storing the card data.
 3. A cardreader device according to claim 1, wherein the processing system isconfigured to power off the reader device upon completion oftransmitting the card data to a host device.
 4. A card reader deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the processing system is configured topower off the reader device after transmitting the card data to a hostdevice and receiving a power-down command from the host device.
 5. Acard reader device according to claim 1, wherein the reader device is achip-only reader device.
 6. A card reader device according to claim 1,wherein the card detection device includes a normally-open switch thatis closed when the card is inserted in the card slot and engaged withthe card detection device.
 7. A card reader device comprising: a hostdevice interface; a card slot; a card detection device that selectivelygenerates a signal when a card is inserted in the card slot and isengaged with the card detection device; a processing system; and a powercontrol circuit configured to physically provide power to the processingsystem only when both (1) a card is inserted in the card slot andengaged with the card detection device and (2) the reader device isconnected to a host device via the host device interface.
 8. A cardreader device according to claim 7, wherein the processing system isconfigured to power off the reader device after storing card data.
 9. Acard reader device according to claim 7, wherein the processing systemis configured to power off the reader device upon completion oftransmitting card data to a host device.
 10. A card reader deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the processing system is configured topower off the reader device after transmitting card data to a hostdevice and receiving a power-down command from the host device.
 11. Acard reader device according to claim 7, wherein the reader device is achip-only reader device.
 12. A card reader device according to claim 7,wherein the card detection device includes a normally-open switch thatis closed when the card is inserted in the card slot and engaged withthe card detection device.
 13. A card reader device according to claim7, wherein the host device interface is one of (a) a wireless interfaceor (b) a physical interface.
 14. A card reader device according to claim7, wherein the power control circuit is configured to physically providepower to the processing system only when a user-operable switch of thecard reader device is operated by a user while both (1) the card isinserted in the card slot and engaged with the card detection device and(2) the reader device is connected to the host device via the hostdevice interface.
 15. A card reader device comprising: a user-operableswitch; a card slot; a card detection device that selectively generatesa signal when a card is inserted in the card slot and is engaged withthe card detection device; a processing system; and a power controlcircuit configured to physically provide power to the processing systemonly when the user-operable switch of the card reader device is operatedby a user while a card is inserted in the card slot and engaged with thecard detection device.
 16. A card reader device according to claim 15,wherein the processing system is configured to power off the readerdevice after storing card data.
 17. A card reader device according toclaim 15, wherein the processing system is configured to power off thereader device upon completion of transmitting card data to a hostdevice.
 18. A card reader device according to claim 15, wherein theprocessing system is configured to power off the reader device aftertransmitting card data to a host device and receiving a power-downcommand from the host device.
 19. A card reader device according toclaim 15, wherein the reader device is a chip-only reader device.
 20. Acard reader device according to claim 15, wherein the card detectiondevice includes a normally-open switch that is closed when the card isinserted in the card slot and engaged with the card detection device.21. A card reader device according to claim 15, wherein the powercontrol circuit is configured to physically provide power to theprocessing system only when the user-operable switch of the card readerdevice is operated by the user while (1) the card is inserted in thecard slot and engaged with the card detection device and (2) the readerdevice is connected to a host device via a host device interface.